First Time Budget Gaming Build i7 or i5

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next week.

BUDGET RANGE: $800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing the internet, word processing, etc..

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, have a Dell SP2309W (23 inch, 2048x1152, HDMI/DVI)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel Core i7 or i5, not sure which exactly. Would prefer i7 for hyperthreading, but if it limits me too much elsewhere, then I would go with i5. Open to suggestions for each.

Will also need a wireless networking card, probably an N for better reception and range.

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No, at least for now. Unless better performance could be gained from dual cards, for cheaper.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 2048x1152, but would most likely play games at a lower resolution.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is my first time building my own computer, I have a little experience working on them, but have really only dealt with putting in a new graphics card or putting in more RAM. I am looking for expandability for the future, as I will improve components down the line (most likely the graphics card and more RAM). I don't need a flashy case, just something that everything will fit in both now and the future, and one that has good cooling. As far as the graphics card, I would be willing to sacrifice some of it, if it would allow me to get a better processor. I am really not sure where to begin, so all help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Thats the wrong Antec 300 case. The 300 illusion is the one with the two front fans already installed. It just went off of a $10 off/free shipping special.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129066

It may not be possible to get down to $800 with a quad core CPU, especially with expandable parts.

You might as well go down to a quality 550W PSU with jbakerlent's build since the motherboard's second PCI-E slot runs at 4x. You will not want to run Crossfire with that motherboard, so there's no use for 750W PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.265999 $134.94 (Antec 300 + Antec TP550 PSU combo)

So with the micro-ATX Mobo, the only difference is smaller size, and less PCI slots?

Taking into account the micro-ATX Mobo, and the Corsair 550W PSU, and the other items posted earlier, the price comes out to I believe, $903.91.

What could I cut back on to bring the price down slightly still? Or if I do knock anything down, will I be losing a decent chunk of performance and value?

Here is a couple good deals on power supplies:

780 new OCZ modxstream $60 (very good deal) 3 year warranty
http://www.svc.com/ocz780mxs.html

or

700w OCZ gamexstream $40 refurbished (1 year warranty)
http://www.svc.com/ocz700gxssli-b.html

Here is cheaper memory:

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 1600 $86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231277

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB 1600 $90 ($80 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146873

Here is a good combo deal on a case and harddrive: $100

Cooler Master RC690
WD Black 640GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273732

You get a better case and more room in your harddrive...F3 isn't worth 140 less gb and $15 more.

I really feel like the 4870 is a better value than the 5770. Your really not going to be using the dx11 effects on the 5770 and there is only one game out that uses it anyways right now (battleforge). The 4870 is $35 less and it beats the 5770 in every game.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3658&p=5

4870 $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

That should bring you close to $800 or maybe less if I'm not mistaken.
Hope that helps.

O, and are you a student? You can get Windows 7 for $30.

If you are not overclocking, the stock cooler should be adequite. Normally the motherboard comes with enough cables.

I would just look at linksys wireless cards. Brands really shouldnt matter but its often easier to get the configuration right if the card is the same brand as the router. Linksys is a bargain brand anyway so you wont save much with any other brand. There are alot of USB wireless cards which you may find much more convenient than installing one internally.

I really don't have plans to overclock. So I don't think I will get a CPU fan as of now.

So I won't need any additional cables? Even if the WD Black hard drive says that it is "bare drive"?

Also in terms of the graphics card, if I spent maybe $30 or so more, could I get anything that is significantly better, especially in terms of value?

If I stick with the
ASUS EAH5770/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121350

Is there any advantage of going with ASUS over say Sapphire, HIS, Msi? They are all the same price, but a couple have free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 70&x=0&y=0

I decided to switch to this CD/DVD Drive, due it being a retail, so it comes with necessary screws and cables.

HP Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA 24X Multiformat DVD Writer - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827140042

There is a combo with the Mobo and CPU, and the Case and HD. With all items the total w/shipping comes out to $815.78

Yeah, I think I will just stick with the 5770.

So I don't need thermal paste like this?
Arctic Silver AA-14G Thermal Compound - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Ohhh okay. Thanks for the help. I get it now lol.